NCAA GOLF TOURNEY CONTINUES AT MISSION INN, SPORTS B1 LEESBURG, FLORIDA Friday, May 16, 2014 www.dailycommercial.com NEW YORK: President Obama, families CLOSED: Local McDonalds briefly help dedicate Sept. 11 Memorial, A5 shut down for health reasons, A3 MASCOTTE Lawmakers lament losses City may create Springs, sidewalks and student safety set aside domestic LIVI STANFORD | Staff Writer [email protected] en. Alan Hays, R-Uma- partner registry tilla, and Rep. Lar- Sry Metz, R-Yalaha said ROXANNE BROWN | Staff Writer this week they were pleased [email protected] with the outcome of the 2014 Florida legislative ses- Mascotte officials are looking at sion, which strenghtened creating a domestic partner registry protections for human traf- within the city. ficking victims, improved City council members will talk transparency for special about it at their meeting scheduled districts and allowed par- for 6:30 p.m. Monday. If they agree ents to object to instruc- to pursue the registry, an ordinance tional material used in the will come up for a formal vote at classroom. some point in the future. Mayor Tony Rosado, who pro- But at the same time, the posed the idea and requested it be legislators said they were placed on the agenda for discus- disappointed that sever- sion, said he wants to know what al bills they fought for pas- board members sage did not succeed, from a think about a bill that would identify and registry. “I think correct hazardous walk- “I’m bringing nowadays, in ing conditions at local ele- it to the coun- mentary schools to legisla- the year 2014, cil first, so that it’s important tion that would designate they are not a school employee or vol- blind-sided by to give equality unteer to carry a concealed the issue,” he to everyone and weapon on school grounds said. something like to a comprehensive bill that Rosado said would provide protection of a registry is a this would cover the state’s springs. “step in the right people from all “I am very disappointed direction” for walks of life.” the hazardous walking con- same-sex cou- Mayor Tony Rosado ditions bill did not make it ples and other through the Senate,” Metz long-term cou- said, noting that the bill ples who live together but choose was supported by the Flor- not to marry, because it would give ida School Board Associa- them more rights, like hospital vis- tion and the Florida Parent itation privileges, decision-making Teacher Association. power when it comes to medical is- The bill died in the Flor- sues without a power of attorney, ida Senate Appropriations and the right to make after-death Committee. arrangements that traditionally If passed, the bill would married couples now have. have required “district “I think nowadays, in the year school boards and state and BRAD MCCLENNY/GAINESVILLE SUN 2014, it’s important to give equality SEE LAWS | A2 Kids jump off the dock into the spring head at Blue Springs near High Springs. to everyone and something like this (registry) would cover people from all walks of life,” Rosado said. John Bradford, a Mascotte res- ident in a domestic partnership, Two charged with selling synthetic marijuana said that although there is no hos- pital in Mascotte, protection in re- MILLARD K. IVES | Staff Writer of suspected es, as well as with intent to distribute gards to visitation or decision-mak- [email protected] synthetic mar- the packages synthetic marijuana and ing power while at a nearby hospital Two employees of a ijuana, which of suspected possession of drug para- like Clermont, may not be support- Minneola smoke shop they confis- synthetic mar- phernalia. Both were re- ed. However, he said that in other were arrested Wednesday cated along ijuana were leased from the Lake Coun- instances, being registered would after sheriff’s officials raid- with smoking found, but ty jail early Thursday after be critical. ed their business looking devices and SHELTON WATSON only two box- posting a $5,500 bond. “I feel it (registry) could help co- for synthetic marijuana. more than es of tobacco. Sgt. James Vachon, sher- ordinate assistance in some sit- Armed with a search war- $2,000 in cash, according The employees, Linda iff’s spokesman, said the uations when it comes to public rant for The Abyss on West to an arrest affidavit. Lee Watson, 71, and Eric raid was sparked by citi- safety,” Bradford said, explaining Center Street in Minneola, While the store is listed James Shelton, 37, both of zen complaints received by it would give law enforcement a detectives said they found as a “tobacco store,” hun- Groveland, were arrested narcotics detectives as well contact person in case a partner more than 30 packages dreds of smoking devic- on charges of possession as a Crimeline tip. SEE REGISTRY | A2 BLUES AND GROOVE NATURE FEST SWEET CORN WEEKEND AT LAKE LOUISA JAMBOREE Critically acclaimed blues The Friends of Lake Long & Scott Farms WEEKEND’S artists, including Big Bill Louisa State Park’s Na- Zellwood Sweet Corn 1 Morganfield, will appear at 2 ture Fest will be from 3 Jamboree will be from the sixth annual Mount Dora Blues 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday TOP n’ Groove Weekend today, Saturday at the park at 7305 S. U.S. and Sunday at 26216 County and Sunday. Visit bluesandgroove. Highway 27 near Clermont. Road 448A near Mount Dora. com for a complete schedule of Exhibitors, demonstrations, Music, crafts, food and a corn 3 events. displays and activities for all. maze. $12 adults, $8 children. INDEX DIVERSIONS C9 OBITUARIES A4 Vol. 138 LEGALS D1 SPORTS B1 TODAY’S WEATHER CLASSIFIED D1 No. 136 50¢ BUSINESS C5 VOICES A9 Detailed forecast 81˚/60˚ COMICS C8 4 sections CROSSWORDS D NATION A5 WORLD A7 on page A10. Mostly sunny A2 DAILY COMMERCIAL Friday, May 16, 2014 FLORIDA Gay marriage shows gains LOTTERY DENISE LAVOIE Solomon, a leader of MAY 15 AP Legal Affairs Writer Gay marriage gains favor the campaign in Massa- CASH 3 ...............................................5-0-4 BOSTON — Support- Public acceptance of same-sex marriage has changed chusetts, and several oth- drastically over the last decade. A majority of Americans er veterans of that drive Afternoon ..........................................7-3-4 ers and activists routine- now support it; in 2004, only about 31 percent favored it. ly ask gay couples to meet have been working in oth- PLAY 4 .............................................6-2-8-1 with reluctant lawmakers Total favor Favor Oppose er states since then. Afternoon .......................................1-0-8-8 to put a human face on They’ve worked to build 70 percent support among lawmak- MAY 14 same-sex marriage. They 60 60 ers, oust others, and re- FANTASY 5 ............................. 4-9-21-29-35 file lawsuits. They use un- 54 cruit business leaders and FLORIDA LOTTO ............. 18-19-30-31-33-43 expected allies — in some 50 cases, churches — to other prominent people POWERBALL.................... 7-33-39-52-55-33 spread their message. 40 to their side. In Indiana, It’s a strategy that has 39 executives of pharma- 30 ceutical company Eli Lilly shown results, with state 31 and engine maker Cum- THE NEWSPAPER OF CHOICE FOR LAKE AND SUMTER COUNTIES SINCE 1875 bans falling in courts at 20 ’04 ’06 ’08 ’10 ’12 ’14 mins have argued against The Daily Commercial (ISSN 0896-1042) is published daily for a brisk clip, most recent- $90.74 per year (plus Florida sales tax) by Halifax Media Group ly in Idaho and Arkansas. a proposed ban, saying it at 212 East Main Street, Leesburg, Florida. Periodicals postage is Favor by generation Favor by political party could hinder worker re- paid at the USPO, Leesburg, FL. POSTMASTER: Send all address And it was one that was changes to The Daily Commercial, P.O. Box 490007, Leesburg, FL 2014 2004 2014 2004 cruitment. 34749-0007. All material contained in this edition is property of first tried in Massachu- The Daily Commercial and is protected under the copyright laws of setts, where 10 years ago Born 68% 67% A judge struck down the United States of America. Reproduction is forbidden without after 1980 44 Democrats written consent from the publisher. Saturday, gay couples be- 40 Idaho’s ban Tuesday, rul- 55 ing on a lawsuit brought came the first in the na- 1965-1980 MISSED YOUR NEWSPAPER? HOW TO REACH US tion to legally tie the knot. 40 59 by two couples legal- REDELIVERY NOT AVAILABLE IN Independents ALTOONA OR SUMTER 48 37 ly married in other states “We’ve really used a 1946-1964 365-8200 spirit of relentlessness,” 30 and two who were denied Call 352-787-0600 in Lake In Sumter County: 32 marriage licenses in Ida- County or 877-702-0600 in 877-702-0600 says Marc Solomon, the 38 Republicans Sumter County 6 a.m. to 10 1928-1945 national campaign direc- 18 17 ho. A judge in Arkansas, a.m. Monday through Friday. Call ADVERTISING 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday tor for Freedom to Mar- ruling in a lawsuit filed by and 7 to 10 a.m. on Sunday. Retail ................... 365-8200 SOURCE: Pew Research AP several same-sex couples, Classified ............. 314-3278 ry. “That’s the way we’ve GOING ON VACATION last week threw out both CIRCULATION approached this entire states’ rights. things would happen. You Lake Co. ....... 352-787-0600 Call the Circulation Depart- movement from the get- “I think the notionGAY MARRIAGEthat know, POLL when 051414 we :got Graphic mar - a constitutional ban and Sumter Co.